|
|||||||
MidgeA midge is a tiny maggot that causes the rose’s buds to blacken from the damage. If you want to fix this problem, prune the affected area and then destroy it. Also known as Dasineura rhodophaga Coquillett (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), midge is an uncommon but damaging pest of roses. Damage from the midge was first reported in 1886 in New Jersey. There are accounts of its infestation in the Pacific Northwest, California, the Northeastern states, Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Ontario. The distribution and occurrence of the midge will likely increase. The adult midge lays its eggs inside the sepals of new flower and leaf buds. The tiny maggot that hatches feeds in these areas causing blackened tissue, tip abortion, and distorted flower buds. In 2004, the first damage of the season was reported on April 13 at the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon. Rose midge damage tends to increase through the season. Sampling of new shoots during the 2004 season showed two peaks of damage: in late June/early July and late August/early September. OSU research emphasis in 2005 will evaluate management of the soil-based larval/pupal stage prior to emergence and the investigation of beneficial nematodes and insect pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae , for control efficacy. More information on the midge and its management can be found at the following websites. University of Minnesota Extension: Insect Pests of Roses Canadian Nursery Landscape Association Report on rose midge trials American Rose Society rose midge article
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
